Exercise equipment for jumping rope

ABSTRACT

Provided is an exercise apparatus for a jump rope which is adapted to exert the exercise of jump rope without using an actual jump rope and which allows an exerciser to perform running as well as the exercise of jumping rope. The exercise apparatus includes a rotary belt unit including first and second rotary shafts rotatably mounted to a body frame to be spaced apart from each other, a first driver rotating about the first rotary shaft, and a belt configured to perform an endless track motion along the first and second rotary shafts; a base frame supporting the body frame such that a cord connecting the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft is upwardly inclined with respect to the ground; and a plurality of discrimination bands formed on the outer circumference in shapes of bands that can be discriminated from the belt to visualize as if the rope were turned when an exerciser performs a jumping exercise at a position opposite to the rotating belt, the plurality of discrimination bands spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the belt.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for a jump rope, and more particularly to an exercise apparatus for a jump rope which is adapted to exert the exercise of jump rope without using an actual jump rope and which allows an exerciser to perform running as well as the exercise of jumping rope.

BACKGROUND ART

The exercise of “skipping” (also known as “jumping rope”) is one of favorite exercise activities that are enjoyed by many people because it can be done virtually anywhere and anytime with minimal equipment. Since jumping rope makes an exerciser jump over the rope every time it passes under the exerciser's feet while the rope is turned around the body of the user skipping, it is quite a strenuous exercise like basketball or any other sport, which advantageously improves the exerciser's cardiovascular health and lung capacity. In addition, the exercise of jumping rope has been recognized to promote the children's physical growth and the early youth in their growth periods by affecting various body parts and stimulating growth plates whenever an exerciser skip or jump the rope up and down. That is to say, since the jumping rope allows the exerciser to skip or jump the rope with foreparts of his/her feet, all the ankle, calf, and knee muscles and the trunk muscles are intensively stressed whenever the exerciser jumps. Further, the jumping rope has been known to prevent the risk of osteoporosis in the aged people.

In addition to the substantial beneficial effects, as experts say, since the jumping rope is not constrained by time and space in use and sufficient exercise workout effects can be obtained just by working out about 10 minutes, the jumping rope is ideal as life-time physical fitness. Actually, the jumping rope is one of the most recommendable exercise training programs to boxers who need a weight control, athletes who need to improve lung capacity to win a race, or tennis players or ice skating players who require muscular endurance and agility.

While the existing jumping rope is an advantageous exercise in many ways, unfortunately, the existing jumping rope has some drawbacks. That is, jump ropes in general can be difficult to use indoors where low ceiling height or illumination equipment would interfere with the swing of ropes higher than exerciser's height. In addition, the jump rope may render space limitation due to vibration or noise generated while jumping rope, when used in a multiplex house like an apartment. In this regard, jumping rope has been mostly used as outdoor activity, which makes it very sensitive to weather influences.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

To obviate the difficulties experienced with the prior art jump ropes, the invention provides an exercise apparatus for a jump rope, which allows a user to skip or jump rope even indoors as if the user were jumping rope without using an actual rope, while exerting the same exercise fitness effects as the prior art jumping rope.

The present invention also provides an exercise apparatus for a jump rope adapted to perform a combination of running and jumping rope.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus for a jump rope comprising: a rotary belt unit including first and second rotary shafts rotatably mounted to a body frame to be spaced apart from each other, a first driver rotating about the first rotary shaft, and a belt configured to perform an endless track motion along the first and second rotary shafts; a base frame supporting the body frame such that a cord connecting the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft is upwardly inclined with respect to the ground; and a plurality of discrimination bands formed on the outer circumference in shapes of bands that can be discriminated from the belt to visualize as if the rope were turned when an exerciser performs a jumping exercise at a position opposite to the rotating belt, the plurality of discrimination bands spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the belt.

The discrimination bands are painted in a second color different from a first color coating the belt. Preferably, the body frame is rotatably coupled to the base frame so that an exerciser performs a running exercise on the belt by controlling an angle of inclination of the body frame with respect to the base frame.

The exercise apparatus may further comprise a second driver including a driven gear provided on a hinge shaft extending from the body frame and rotatably supported to the base frame, a driving motor installed in the base frame, and a driving gear provided on a rotary shaft of the driving motor and engaged with the driven gear. The base frame includes first and second support members spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and extending in parallel with each other, a panel-shaped jumping board mounted between the first and second support members and offering an exercise space for running, and first and second sub-frames upwardly extending a pre-determined length from top surfaces of the first and second support members, respectively, and the exercise apparatus further comprises: a pair of handles installed to be opposite to and facing the first and second sub-frames so as to be gripped by the exerciser while running on the jumping board and extensibly installed with respect to the first and second sub-frames so as to be rotated by the exerciser while running; and a sound portion presenting a sound effect when the exerciser runs on the jumping board according to the rotation speed of the belt as if the exerciser jumping rope.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The exercise apparatus for a jump rope according to the present invention provides benefits and advantages of providing a realistic simulation of the activity of jumping rope indoors and allowing exercisers to selectively perform jumping and running exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a manipulation mechanism of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partly cutaway perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a handle portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the exercise apparatus 100 includes a rotary belt unit 10, a base frame 30 rotatably supporting the rotary belt unit 10, and a plurality of discrimination bands 20 provided on a belt 19 of the rotary belt unit 10.

The rotary belt unit 10 includes a body frame 11, a first rotary shaft 16 rotatably mounted to the body frame 11, a second rotary shaft 18 rotatably mounted to the body frame 11 to be spaced apart from the first rotary shaft 16, a first driver 21 rotating about the first rotary shaft 16, and the belt configured to perform an endless track motion along the first and second rotary shafts 16 and 18.

The body frame 11 includes first and second elongation members 12 and 13 extending in parallel with each other and spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, a board (not shown) coupled between the first and second elongation members 12 and 13 and supporting a rotating belt 19, and motor support panel 14 provided at either side of the first and second elongation members 12 and 13 to support a first driving motor 22 of a first driver 21 to be described later.

The first and second elongation members 12 and 13 have each inner space, and are connected by an outwardly extending hinge shaft 41 hingedly coupled to first and second support members 31 and 32 of the base frame 30 to be described later. The board rotates the body frame 11 and supports the belt 19 so as to prevent the belt 19 from excessively sagging under the exerciser's weight when the exerciser runs on the belt 19. In addition, a stopper protrusion 15 coupled to a stopper groove 35 formed on the jumping board 34 of the base frame 30 is provided in the each of the first and second elongation members 12 and 13, which will later be described.

The first rotary shaft 16 is rotatably coupled to one side of each of the first and second elongation members 12 and 13, and includes a driven pulley 17 at its one side coupled to the first elongation member 12.

The second rotary shaft 18 is rotatably coupled to the other side of each of the first and second elongation members 12 and 13, and is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first rotary shaft 16.

The first driver 21 rotatably drives the first rotary shaft 16 so as to the belt 19, and includes a first driving motor 22 installed in the motor support panel 14, a driving pulley 23 installed on a rotation shaft of the first driving motor 22, and a driving belt 24 connecting the driving pulley 23 and the driven pulley 17 of the first rotary shaft 16. Since the driving pulley 23 is installed in the inner space of the first elongation member 12, the driving pulley 23, the driving belt 24, and the driven pulley 17 are not visible.

The belt 19 is coupled to the first rotary shaft 16 and the second rotary shaft 18 and performs an endless track motion as the first rotary shaft 16. A plurality of discrimination bands 20 are formed at a predetermined interval on the outer circumference of the belt 19 to be spaced apart from each other. Here, the discrimination bands 20 are painted in a different color from the belt 19. Since the discrimination bands 20 are formed on the outer circumference in shapes of bands that can be discriminated from the belt 19 to visualize as if the rope were turned when the body frame 11 is rotatably moved up and down and the belt 19 is driven, the discrimination bands 20 are painted in a different color from the belt 19, thereby facilitating visual discrimination between the discrimination bands 20 and the belt 19. For example, if the belt 19 is black colored, the discrimination bands 20 are preferably white or yellow colored so as to definitely discriminate the belt 19 from the discrimination bands 20. Alternatively, if the belt 19 is chromatically colored, the discrimination bands 20 are preferably coated with a different color, that is, a color complementary to that of the discrimination bands 20.

In the current embodiment, the discrimination bands 20 are formed on the outer circumference of the belt 19 by painting without any particular restriction in terms of shape. On the other hand, the discrimination bands 20 may be formed on the outer circumference of the belt 19 by engraving or embossing so as to be shaped in particular shapes. In addition, the discrimination bands 20 may be formed in various manners so long as they are apparently discriminated from the belt 19 with the naked eye.

The base frame 30 is installed on the ground to rotatably support the body frame 11, and includes first and second support members 31 and 32 spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and extending in parallel with each other, a panel-shaped jumping board 34 mounted between the first and second support members 31 and 32 and offering an exercise space for running, and first and second sub-frames 36 and 37 upwardly extending a predetermined length from top surfaces of the first and second support members 31 and 32, respectively, and a third sub-frame 38 upwardly extending from one side of each of the first and second support members 31 and 32 to which the first and second elongation members 12 and 13 are coupled.

The first and second elongation members 12 and 13 are hingedly coupled to first and second support members 31 and 32, respectively. An anti-vibration member 33 for suppressing vibration generated when the exerciser runs or jumps from being transferred to the ground is provided under the first and second support members 31 and 32. Since the anti-vibration member 33 absorbs the vibration, the inventive exercise apparatus can be installed and used even indoors, such as in a multiplex house like an apartment.

The second driver 40 rotating the body frame 11 with the base frame 30 is installed in the first support member 31 coupled to the first elongation member 12. The second driver 40 includes a hinge shaft 41 extending from the first elongation member 12 and protruding toward the outside of the first support member 31, and a driven gear 42 provided at an end of the protruding hinge shaft 41. A second driving motor 43 is installed in the first support member 31 to be adjacent to the hinge shaft 41, and a driving gear 44 engaged with the driven gear 42 is provided on a rotary shaft of the second driving motor 43.

If the second driving motor 43 operates, the driving gear 44 rotates the driven gear 42 to make the body frame 11 rotate in one side or the other side of the base frame 30. A protective cap 45 for protecting the driving gear 44 and the driven gear 42 exposing outside the first support member 31 is installed in the first support member 31, and prevents the driving gear 44 and the driven gear 42 from being broken or protects human body against safety accident due to contact.

The jumping board 34 is provided between the first and second support members 31 and 32 to offer an exerciser running space. Since the exerciser works out on the jumping board 34, vibration due to exerciser's workout can be cancelled by the jumping board 34 and the anti-vibration member 33 combined with each of the first and second support members 31 and 32. The jumping board 34 is preferably formed of a material capable of withstanding the load applied when the exerciser jumps and absorbing the vibration. Although not shown, an impact-cushioning mat may further be provided above the jumping board 34 to minimize an impact applied the exerciser's body when the exerciser jumps. Further, the stopper groove 35 is formed at one side of a top surface of the jumping board 34. That is to say, the stopper groove 35 is coupled to the stopper protrusion 15 provided in the each of the first and second elongation members 12 and 13 to allow body frame 11 and the base frame 30 to be securely coupled to each other when the body frame 11 is rotated for actuation of a running exercise. When the exerciser performs a running exercise, the stopper protrusion 15 and the stopper groove 35 are prone to damage due to the exerciser's own weight and vibration applied when the exerciser works out, they are preferably coated with urethane rubber.

The third sub-frame 38 is formed to extend y a predetermined length upwardly from one side of the each of the base frame 30 combined with the body frame 11. On the top surface of the third sub-frame 38 is provided a control board 46 including a display portion on which a rotation speed of the belt 19 is displayed, a control switch for controlling a rotation speed of the belt 19, and a driving switch for actuating the second driving motor 43 to rotating the body frame 11.

If the exercise manipulates the control switch and the driving switch to select the speed of the belt 19 and the exercise type based on information displayed on the display portion of the control board 46, a controller incorporated into the control board 46 actuates the first and second driving motors 22 and 43 according to the input signal corresponding to the information.

The first and second sub-frames 36 and 37 include a pair of handles 50 extending a predetermined length upwardly from top surfaces of the first and second support members 31 and 32, so that the exerciser grips the handles 50 and takes the same posture of jump rope while running on the jumping board 34. Further, it is not easy for the exerciser to approach the control board 46 while jumping because the control board 46 is interfered with the body frame 11 extending upwardly. Thus, an auxiliary control board 47 including the control switch for controlling the rotation speed of the belt 19 is installed on the second sub-frame 37.

The handles 50 are attached to the first and second sub-frames 36 and 37 and are configured such that the exerciser is allowed to grip by hands for jumping when the exerciser jumps on the jumping board 34. In a case of the exercise of actually jumping rope, the exerciser holds the rope by the handles 50 provided at both ends of the rope, swings the rope over his/her head and then under the feet in a continuous motion, and jumps over the rope every time it passes under the feet. Accordingly, when the exerciser jumps on the exercise apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the exerciser grips the handles 50 provided in the first and second sub-frames 36 and 37 and takes the same posture as the actual exercise of jumping rope. To this end, the handles 50 include fixing portions 51 fixed to the first and second sub-frames 36 and 37, connecting cords 52 extending from the fixing portions 51, and gripping portions 53 formed at one end of each of the connecting cords 52 to be easily gripped by the exerciser's hands.

The exercise apparatus 100 further includes a speaker 49 for generating a sound effect, which is the same sound sounding as if the rope were hitting the ground while the rope is turned.

The speaker 49 generates a rotation sound generated when the rope is turned based on the signal transmitted from the controller incorporated into the control board 46, and a hitting sound generated when the rope hits the ground. A controller 48 controls playback intervals of the rotation sound and the hitting sound according to the rotation speed of the first driving motor 22 rotating the belt 19. In other words, if the first driving motor 22 rotates at a high speed, the belt 19 rotates fast and moving speeds of the discrimination bands 20 displayed on the belt 19 are also high. Accordingly, the playback intervals of the rotation sound and the hitting sound output from the speaker 49 are made shorter to provide a jumping rope sound effect, thereby outputting a sound generated by turning the jumping rope faster.

As described above, the handles 50, the sound effect generated from the speaker 49 and the discrimination bands 20 formed in the belt 19 make the exerciser feel the same exercise effect of jumping rope without using an actual jump rope.

Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of handles 60 may be coupled to first and second sub-frames 36 and 37, each including a housing 61 having an inner space, an extensible portion 66 extensibly installed in the inner space of the housing 61, and a gripping member 71 installed at the extensible portion 66.

The housing 61 includes an upper member 62 and a lower member 64 engaged with each other. The lower member 64 has a coupling hook 65 to which a spring 68 of the extensible portion 66 is coupled. The upper member 62 is combined to the lower member 64 to form an inner space for installing the extensible portion 66, and has a throughhole 63 having a predetermined diameter for communicating the inner space with the outer space.

The extensible portion 66 includes a movable member 67 positioned in the inner space, and a plurality of plurality of springs 68 each one end connected to the movable member 67 and the other end connected to the coupling hook 65 of the lower member 64. The movable member 67 is combined with the housing 61 by means of the spring 68. Thus, if an external force is applied to the movable member 67, the movable member 67 moves in a direction in which the external force is applied. If the external force is canceled, the movable member 67 is returned to its original position by a restoring force of the spring 68.

The gripping member 71 is rotatably combined to the movable member 67 by a hinge member 69 of the extensible portion 66, and extends outside the housing 61 through the throughhole 63 of the upper member 62. The hinge member 69 rotates the gripping member 71 so as to extend downwardly or so as to extend toward the opposed first and second sub-frames 36 and 37 to be gripped by the exerciser. That is, the hinge member 69 rotates the gripping member 71 so as to extend downwardly, thereby preventing the gripping member 71 from impeding the rotation of the body frame 11 or the exerciser's running exercise when rotating the body frame 11 or when the exerciser performs a running exercise.

When the exerciser performs a running exercise, the respective gripping members 71 of the handles 50 are gripped by the exerciser for rotation, and are extended in opposite directions. Since a stopper 70 for restricting the rotation of each of the gripping members 71 is formed on the hinge member 69, the gripping members 71 can only be rotated within a spatial range in which they can be extended in opposite directions.

When the exerciser grips the gripping member 71 and performs a running exercise, the movable member 67 combined to each of the gripping members 71 can be extensibly move by the spring 68 within the housing 61. In addition, in order to make the gripping members 71 protrude, a diameter of the throughhole 63 provided in the upper member 62 is made to be greater than that of each of the gripping members 71, so that each of the gripping members 71 can flexibly move within a range in which the throughhole 63 is formed according to the movement of the exerciser's movement.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a handle portion 80 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The handle portion 80 according to the current embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of gripping portion 81 gripped by user's hands, and rotary ropes 82 extending a predetermined length from the respective gripping portions 81.

Since the rotary ropes 82 are not connected to each other, unlike the conventional jump rope, the swing of the jump rope can be prevented from stopping due to snagging of the exerciser's body, while exerting the effect of a jumping exercise as if actually jump roping.

In addition, the handle portion 80 according to the current embodiment of the present invention may include a speed sensor 84 at its one side to measure a rotation speed of the rotary rope 82. An indication line 83 is formed at a location of the rotary rope 82 extending from the handle portion 80 having a gripping portion 81 at which the speed sensor 84 is installed. When the rotary rope 82 is rotated, the location of the rotary rope 82 corresponds to a point of a front surface of the speed sensor 84.

Accordingly, as the user grips the gripping portions 81 and rotates the rotary rope 82, a rotation speed of rotary rope 82 can be measured from a number of times the indication line 83 passes the front surface of the speed sensor 84 for a predetermined duration of time. In addition, the measuring of the rotation speed of rotary rope 82 can be achieved in various ways.

Information about the rotation speed measured by the speed sensor 84 is transmitted to the controller through a remote transmitter portion 85. The remote transmitter portion 85 includes a transmitter 86 connected to the speed sensor 84 and installed at the gripping portion 81, and a receiver 87 installed in the control board 46 to receive a signal from the transmitter 86.

The Information about the rotation speed of the rotary rope 82 received in the receiver 87 is transmitted to the controller incorporated into the control board 46. The controller adjusts the driving speed of the first driving motor 22 according to the rotation speed of the rotary rope 82 to change the moving speeds of the discrimination bands 20 responsive to the rotation speed of the rotary rope 82.

Accordingly, the moving speeds of the discrimination bands 2 displayed on the belt can be automatically adjusted responsive to the rotation speed of the rotary rope 82 without user's separate manipulation.

Since the remaining elements of the current embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, identical reference numerals are used to define the corresponding elements and detailed explanations thereabout are not given.

A method of using the exercise apparatus 100 for a jump rope according the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

An exerciser, who wants to perform a jump rope exercise, rotates the body frame 11 so as to extend up and down, and then gets up on the jumping board 34 of the base frame 30. Then, a signal for rotating the belt 19 in a desired speed is transmitted to the controller 48 using the auxiliary control board 47. When the belt 19 is rotated in front of the exerciser, the exerciser visually perceives as if the rope were turned by the discrimination bands 20 are formed on the outer circumference of the belt 19. The controller 48 controls the rotation sound and hitting sound of rope to be played back from the speaker 49, thereby allowing the exerciser to continuously perform a jumping exercise according to the movement of the discrimination bands 20, like the actual exercise of jumping rope. In addition, the exerciser who performs a jumping exercise grips the gripping portions 53 of the handles 50. The gripping portions 53 are rotatably coupled to the fixing portions 51 by the connecting cord 52, thereby providing the exerciser with a realistic feel of jumping rope.

An exerciser, who wants to perform a running exercise, rotates the body frame 11 by actuating the second driving motor 43 through the control board 46 or a switch of the auxiliary control board 47. If the body frame 11 is rotated to extend in a direction parallel to the ground, the stopper protrusion 15 of the body frame 11 and the stopper groove 35 formed on the jumping board 34 are engaged with each other, and the exerciser is allowed to perform the running exercise on the belt 19.

The vibration generated when the exerciser performs a running or jumping exercise can be cancelled by the anti-vibration member 33 of the base frame 30, thereby allowing the exerciser to perform the running or jumping exercise indoors. 

1. An exercise apparatus for a jump rope comprising: a rotary belt unit including first and second rotary shafts rotatably mounted to a body frame to be spaced apart from each other, a first driver rotating about the first rotary shaft, and a belt configured to perform an endless track motion along the first and second rotary shafts; a base frame supporting the body frame such that a cord connecting the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft is upwardly inclined with respect to the ground; and a plurality of discrimination bands formed on the outer circumference in shapes of bands that can be discriminated from the belt to visualize as if the rope were turned when an exerciser performs a jumping exercise at a position opposite to the rotating belt, the plurality of discrimination bands spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the belt.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discrimination bands are painted in a second color different from a first color coating the belt.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body frame is rotatably coupled to the base frame so that an exerciser performs a running exercise on the belt by controlling an angle of inclination of the body frame with respect to the base frame.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a second driver including a driven gear provided on a hinge shaft extending from the body frame and rotatably supported to the base frame, a driving motor installed in the base frame, and a driving gear provided on a rotary shaft of the driving motor and engaged with the driven gear.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base frame includes first and second support members spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and extending in parallel with each other, a panel-shaped jumping board mounted between the first and second support members and offering an exercise space for running, and first and second sub-frames upwardly extending a pre-determined length from top surfaces of the first and second support members, respectively, and the exercise apparatus further comprises: a pair of handles installed to be opposite to and facing the first and second sub-frames so as to be gripped by the exerciser while running on the jumping board and extensibly installed with respect to the first and second sub-frames so as to be rotated by the exerciser while running; and a sound portion presenting a sound effect when the exerciser runs on the jumping board according to the rotation speed of the belt as if the exerciser jumping rope.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of handle portions each including a gripping portion gripped by a user, and a rotary rope extending a predetermined length from an end of the gripping portion; a speed sensor installed in the handle portions and measuring a rotation speed of the rotary rope; a remote transmitter portion installed in the handle portions and including a transmitter transmitting information about the rotation speed of the rotary rope measured by speed sensor, and a receiver receiving a signal from the transmitter; and a controller controlling the first driver to adjust a rotation speed of the belt according to the rotation speed of the rotary rope based on the signal received from the receiver. 